Michigan chief information officer to step down for spot at global company

David Behen, director of the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and the state's chief information officer, will step down to rejoin the private sector, Gov. Rick Snyder announced Friday.

He'll end his tenure June 16 to work for a global company based in Michigan, according to a news release. DTMB did not release the name of the company, deferring to it to make the official announcement, spokesman Caleb Buhs said. Behen was not available for comment Friday, Buhs said.

Current Chief Deputy Director Brom Stibitz will take over as interim director until the state finds a replacement, a news release said.

Behen, 48, joined DTMB as state CIO in 2011 and became department director in 2014. The department provides administrative, financial and technological support to agencies, local governments, public universities and others.

During his tenure, Behen boosted Michigan's status as a leader in cybersecurity, improved customer service and spearheaded innovation, the release said.

"David has been a champion for the residents of Michigan and how they interact digitally with their government," Snyder said in the release. "His passion for customer service and technology has changed the way government services are delivered to be more effective, efficient and accountable."

Before joining DTMB, Behen had co-founded InfoReady Corp. and served as its chief business officer 2009-11, Buhs said. Behen was also CIO of Washtenaw County and village manager in Mattawan.

Behen attended Eastern Michigan University, where he received a bachelor of science and a master of science in public administration.